The other minor element to be sorted out is the 20th qualifying spot for the Champions Cup.

The Top 6 all qualify automatically. The 7th ranking spot will go to either Zebre or Treviso - likely to be decided in the final round in their Italian derby. The top 6 can't be overtaken at this point.

Teams ranked 8th and 9th - Cardiff and Connacht - will play off against 7th placed teams in Top 14 and Premiership (unless one of them is the Challenge Cup winner who takes the spot instead.)

So currently, you could argue that it suits Connacht to be ranked below Cardiff. They can't be caught by Edinburgh, so they could afford to rest players, albeit there is a two week gap between Round 22 and the play off matches on 21/22 May.

I wouldn't count any chickens on Top14 7th place ... it's going to the wire and only 1 point between 6th and 11th places

Top 6 isn't settled yet either La Roc will be semi finalist in playoffs

1st 2 guaranteed Semis Next 4 playoff to meet them in the semis ...

_________________Easy to consider past and present, it's the future and associated plan and strategy to achieve that takes the talent ..

Mon Apr 17, 2017 8:16 pm

Pot Hale

Junior Player

Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2016 12:11 amPosts: 90

Re: Pro 12 League Table

Tony Panties wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

The other minor element to be sorted out is the 20th qualifying spot for the Champions Cup.

The Top 6 all qualify automatically. The 7th ranking spot will go to either Zebre or Treviso - likely to be decided in the final round in their Italian derby. The top 6 can't be overtaken at this point.

Teams ranked 8th and 9th - Cardiff and Connacht - will play off against 7th placed teams in Top 14 and Premiership (unless one of them is the Challenge Cup winner who takes the spot instead.)

So currently, you could argue that it suits Connacht to be ranked below Cardiff. They can't be caught by Edinburgh, so they could afford to rest players, albeit there is a two week gap between Round 22 and the play off matches on 21/22 May.

I wouldn't count any chickens on Top14 7th place ... it's going to the wire and only 1 point between 6th and 11th places

Top 6 isn't settled yet either La Roc will be semi finalist in playoffs

1st 2 guaranteed Semis Next 4 playoff to meet them in the semis ...

I wasn't counting any chickens Tony - just giving an example with current occupier of 7th spot

Tue Apr 18, 2017 11:31 am

Tony Panties

World XV Player

Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2015 10:37 pmPosts: 12148

Re: Pro 12 League Table

Pot Hale wrote:

Tony Panties wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

The other minor element to be sorted out is the 20th qualifying spot for the Champions Cup.

The Top 6 all qualify automatically. The 7th ranking spot will go to either Zebre or Treviso - likely to be decided in the final round in their Italian derby. The top 6 can't be overtaken at this point.

Teams ranked 8th and 9th - Cardiff and Connacht - will play off against 7th placed teams in Top 14 and Premiership (unless one of them is the Challenge Cup winner who takes the spot instead.)

So currently, you could argue that it suits Connacht to be ranked below Cardiff. They can't be caught by Edinburgh, so they could afford to rest players, albeit there is a two week gap between Round 22 and the play off matches on 21/22 May.

I wouldn't count any chickens on Top14 7th place ... it's going to the wire and only 1 point between 6th and 11th places

Top 6 isn't settled yet either La Roc will be semi finalist in playoffs

1st 2 guaranteed Semis Next 4 playoff to meet them in the semis ...

I wasn't counting any chickens Tony - just giving an example with current occupier of 7th spot

Realised that PH ... it's just that that 7th spot is very tenuous and could potential be a team of a different dimension of strength based on final 2 or 3 matches eg Stade F play Racing etc

_________________Easy to consider past and present, it's the future and associated plan and strategy to achieve that takes the talent ..

Tue Apr 18, 2017 11:41 am

najbritcol

World XV Player

Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2016 5:42 pmPosts: 2558

Re: Pro 12 League Table

Tony Panties wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

Tony Panties wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

The other minor element to be sorted out is the 20th qualifying spot for the Champions Cup.

The Top 6 all qualify automatically. The 7th ranking spot will go to either Zebre or Treviso - likely to be decided in the final round in their Italian derby. The top 6 can't be overtaken at this point.

Teams ranked 8th and 9th - Cardiff and Connacht - will play off against 7th placed teams in Top 14 and Premiership (unless one of them is the Challenge Cup winner who takes the spot instead.)

So currently, you could argue that it suits Connacht to be ranked below Cardiff. They can't be caught by Edinburgh, so they could afford to rest players, albeit there is a two week gap between Round 22 and the play off matches on 21/22 May.

I wouldn't count any chickens on Top14 7th place ... it's going to the wire and only 1 point between 6th and 11th places

Top 6 isn't settled yet either La Roc will be semi finalist in playoffs

1st 2 guaranteed Semis Next 4 playoff to meet them in the semis ...

I wasn't counting any chickens Tony - just giving an example with current occupier of 7th spot

Realised that PH ... it's just that that 7th spot is very tenuous and could potential be a team of a different dimension of strength based on final 2 or 3 matches eg Stade F play Racing etc

As a side note, it is interesting how beating Toulon and the Ospreys has given SF a new lease of life. And Toulouse being just above the relegation zone is just absolutely shocking.

Tue Apr 18, 2017 1:23 pm

Tony Panties

World XV Player

Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2015 10:37 pmPosts: 12148

Re: Pro 12 League Table

najbritcol wrote:

Tony Panties wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

Tony Panties wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

The other minor element to be sorted out is the 20th qualifying spot for the Champions Cup.

The Top 6 all qualify automatically. The 7th ranking spot will go to either Zebre or Treviso - likely to be decided in the final round in their Italian derby. The top 6 can't be overtaken at this point.

Teams ranked 8th and 9th - Cardiff and Connacht - will play off against 7th placed teams in Top 14 and Premiership (unless one of them is the Challenge Cup winner who takes the spot instead.)

So currently, you could argue that it suits Connacht to be ranked below Cardiff. They can't be caught by Edinburgh, so they could afford to rest players, albeit there is a two week gap between Round 22 and the play off matches on 21/22 May.

I wouldn't count any chickens on Top14 7th place ... it's going to the wire and only 1 point between 6th and 11th places

Top 6 isn't settled yet either La Roc will be semi finalist in playoffs

1st 2 guaranteed Semis Next 4 playoff to meet them in the semis ...

I wasn't counting any chickens Tony - just giving an example with current occupier of 7th spot

Realised that PH ... it's just that that 7th spot is very tenuous and could potential be a team of a different dimension of strength based on final 2 or 3 matches eg Stade F play Racing etc

As a side note, it is interesting how beating Toulon and the Ospreys has given SF a new lease of life. And Toulouse being just above the relegation zone is just absolutely shocking.

One or 2 Seasons ago I posted that Tlse were in crisis ...and I was criticised for saying so.

This is the conclusion. They had an ageing squad contracted for too long ...11 due to leave end of Season. It should not be a surprise.

More importantly and as reported at the time their organisation was not fit for Pro purpose, local association, ground ownership etc ... they have released Capital but too late and a likely large investment and more % increased Capital is now in doubt. The reign of Bouscatel who has been more like a Managing Director than a President is over this year. There will be radical reform. Unlike the Stade F affairs it is recoverable but not without radical change.

Stade F always had a capable squad but a degradation of business circumstance that has significantly rocked the boat despite their 1 Top14 Championship. Savare bought them out for 1 Euro and having invested 40m in 6yrs will probably sell them soon for 1 Euro too. Players signed up to leave and Coach too. The respite is tempoarary? If they can qualify for Europe and/or get to play offs it will help but likely this year deficit has been forecast at 8-9m.

Getting a new takeover will be easier maybe but those that could also know the real circumstances.

Regarding both Tlse and Stade ...audit is awaited for end of year and new Season budgeting

_________________Easy to consider past and present, it's the future and associated plan and strategy to achieve that takes the talent ..

Tue Apr 18, 2017 1:50 pm

ICEverything

World XV Player

Joined: Thu May 18, 2006 4:39 pmPosts: 35332

Re: Pro 12 League Table

Two Welsh regions in the top 4. We are finally getting over the Roger Lewis years.

_________________The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights. Muhammad Ali

Sun Apr 30, 2017 9:21 am

Tony Panties

World XV Player

Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2015 10:37 pmPosts: 12148

Re: Pro 12 League Table

Can Cardiff qualify for Euro Champs Cup?

The last qualifying places options have changed this year??

Depending on the result of the Challenge Cup ...if Stade F win but havent qualified (their Top14 potential still undetermined) there's a play off option wth lower placed Pro12 team still not qualified?

Any possibilities for Cardiff??

Thks in advance ...

_________________Easy to consider past and present, it's the future and associated plan and strategy to achieve that takes the talent ..

Sun Apr 30, 2017 9:40 am

najbritcol

World XV Player

Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2016 5:42 pmPosts: 2558

Re: Pro 12 League Table

Tony Panties wrote:

Can Cardiff qualify for Euro Champs Cup?

The last qualifying places options have changed this year??

Depending on the result of the Challenge Cup ...if Stade F win but havent qualified (their Top14 potential still undetermined) there's a play off option wth lower placed Pro12 team still not qualified?

Any possibilities for Cardiff??

Thks in advance ...

Yes, if SF win the Challenge Cup, then they shall take the place of the 7th team in the Top 14 for the Champions Cup play-offs (assuming they haven't already made it into the top six by then anyway).

Two Welsh regions in the top 4. We are finally getting over the Roger Lewis years.

What has changed since he left?

_________________We are all in the gutter but me and my mam are looking at the stars!

Sun Apr 30, 2017 3:08 pm

wasp

British & Irish Lions Player

Joined: Sat May 10, 2014 9:10 amPosts: 2206

Re: Pro 12 League Table

Langland Exile wrote:

ICEverything wrote:

Two Welsh regions in the top 4. We are finally getting over the Roger Lewis years.

What has changed since he left?

You bit!

Sun Apr 30, 2017 3:51 pm

tom21

World XV Player

Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 1:09 amPosts: 3853

Re: Pro 12 League Table

ICEverything wrote:

Two Welsh regions in the top 4. We are finally getting over the Roger Lewis years.

Still a bit to go ICE until Scarlets are a side who can be home semi finallists in the Pro12 and progress past the group stages of of RCC1, which should be the aim. Think both the starting XV and the bench would need some strengthening before they reach that point.

Saying that, it's been an encouraging couple of seasons under Pivac.

Sun Apr 30, 2017 5:53 pm

ICEverything

World XV Player

Joined: Thu May 18, 2006 4:39 pmPosts: 35332

Re: Pro 12 League Table

Langland Exile wrote:

ICEverything wrote:

Two Welsh regions in the top 4. We are finally getting over the Roger Lewis years.

What has changed since he left?

It's not so much what has changes since he left but what damage was done before he went. He starved the regions of funding for years. They were being bled dry. Now with a better funding package in place, things have stabilised. Good players are being retained, squads have been strengthened and the result is evident in the league table.

Next year I expect the regions to step up another notch again. With Cardiff getting more competitive there will be three Welsh regions taking points of the Irish and the Scottish sides. If the Scarlets can improve their seeding in the Champions cup then we may even see them breaking out of their group and getting a quarter final spot.

Tom, yes there's a way to go for sure, for al the regions, but the future is looking better.

_________________The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights. Muhammad Ali

Sun Apr 30, 2017 6:39 pm

Llew

World XV Player

Joined: Thu Dec 19, 2013 12:07 pmPosts: 3683

Re: Pro 12 League Table

A thread about the evil and dastardly Roger Lewis, this should be good for a few pages .

Sun Apr 30, 2017 6:59 pm

Langland Exile

World XV Player

Joined: Thu May 06, 2004 5:40 pmPosts: 60896Location: Los Angeles, CA

Re: Pro 12 League Table

Llew wrote:

A thread about the evil and dastardly Roger Lewis, this should be good for a few pages .

Yes, competence and management skills have no place in Welsh rugby. Better stick to what they know best, double dealing and stabbing in the back.

_________________We are all in the gutter but me and my mam are looking at the stars!

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot post attachments in this forum